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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Surangam

From Justice Viswanathan · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Justice Viswanathan1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thangasurangam povadhuWhere is the gold mine going
Endha thattaanai paarkkaTo see which goldsmith?
Sandhana kinnam povadhuWhere is the sandalwood bowl going
Endha kalyanam pesaTo discuss which wedding?
Male
Kunguma saaru povadhuWhere is the kumkum extract going
Endha kudumbathil vaazhaTo live in which family?
Gopura kalasam povadhuWhere is the temple finial going
Endha nenjil oli veesaTo shine light in which heart?
Male
Nee pona pinnae iniAfter you leave, from now on
Naanenna kannaeWhat am I, my dear?
Un nizhalaaga sikki kollavoShould I get trapped as your shadow?
Nee pona pinnae iniAfter you leave, from now on
Naan enna kannaeWhat am I, my dear?
Un nizhalaga sikki kollavoShould I get trapped as your shadow?
Male
Kunguma saaru povadhu engeWhere is the kumkum extract going?
Female :Kudumbathil vaazhaFemale: To live in a family.
Male :Gopura kalasam povadhu engeMale: Where is the temple finial going?
Female :Nenjil oli veesaFemale: To shine light in the heart.
Female
Paavadai endrum enMy skirt and blouse always
Poovadai endrumMy flower-scented dress always
Ne paadatha paadal illaiyoIs there any song you haven't sung?
Paavadai endrum enMy skirt and blouse always
Poovadai endrumMy flower-scented dress always
Ne paadatha paadal illaiyoIs there any song you haven't sung?
Female
Pakkam vandhu thottu thottuComing close, touching again and again
Vetkam kooda ketta pinnumEven after shedding all shyness
Pakkam vandhu thottu thottuComing close, touching again and again
Vetkam kooda ketta pinnumEven after shedding all shyness
Kalyaana ennamillaiyoDon't you have thoughts of marriage?
Male
Thangasurangam povadhu engeWhere is the gold mine going?
Female :Thattaanai paarkkaFemale: To see the goldsmith.
Male :Sandhana kinnam povadhu engeMale: Where is the sandalwood bowl going?
Female :Kalyanam pesaFemale: To discuss the wedding.
Male
Kunguma saaru povadhu engeWhere is the kumkum extract going?
Female :Kudumbathil vaazhaFemale: To live in a family.
Male :Gopura kalasam povadhu engeMale: Where is the temple finial going?
Female :Nenjil oli veesaFemale: To shine light in the heart.
Male
Aalaana pengal adhu naalanathendruWhen women mature and time passes by
Manam kaanamal ponadhillaiyaeHasn't the heart longed for love?
Aalaana pengal adhu naalanathendruWhen women mature and time passes by
Manam kaanamal ponadhillaiyaeHasn't the heart longed for love?
Male
Aasai vittu pogum munbuBefore desire fades away
Maalai katti pottaal ennaWhy not tie a garland?
Aasai vittu pogum munbuBefore desire fades away
Maalai katti pottaal ennaWhy not tie a garland?
Poomaalai panjamillaiyaeThere is no scarcity of flower garlands!
Female
Thangasurangam povadhuWhere is the gold mine going
Endha thattaanai paarkkaTo see which goldsmith?
Male :AhaaMale: Ahaa
Female
Sandhana kinnam povadhuWhere is the sandalwood bowl going
Endha kalyanam pesaTo discuss which wedding?
Male :Hae haeiMale: Hae haei
Female
Kunguma saaru povadhuWhere is the kumkum extract going
Endha kudumbathil vaazhaTo live in which family?
Male :Hae haeiMale: Hae haei
Female
Gopura kalasam povadhuWhere is the temple finial going
Endha nenjil oli veesaTo shine light in which heart?
Male :HaeiMale: Haei

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thangasurangam Povadhu is a romantic duet from the 1971 film Justice Viswanathan, penned by Kannadasan and set to music by S. Vedhachalam. The song is framed as a playful call-and-response query between two lovers. The hero poetically compares his beloved to sacred and precious treasures—a gold mine, a sandalwood bowl, kumkum, and a temple pinnacle—wondering where these divine blessings are destined to go. The heroine affectionately responds that they are meant to bring brightness to his family and home through marriage. As the song progresses, the lovers express their intimacy and longing for holy matrimony. The heroine playfully teases the hero about his relentless romantic attention and asks why he hesitates to tie the marital garland when desire is at its peak. Kannadasan masterfully blends traditional cultural imagery with romantic banter, creating a timeless song celebrating love, youth, and marital unity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Metaphor (உவமை/உருவகம்)

Thangasurangam povadhu

The woman is metaphorically praised using highly sacred and valuable auspicious items: a gold mine (Thangasurangam), sandalwood bowl (Sandhana kinnam), kumkum (Kunguma saaru), and a temple tower finial (Gopura kalasam).

Ethugai / Second-Letter Rhyme (எதுகை)

Pakkam vandhu thottu thottu / Vetkam kooda ketta pinnum

The second consonant 'kka' is repeated between 'Pakkam' and 'Vetkam', creating a pleasing poetic rhythm.

Anaphora / Parallelism

Thangasurangam povadhu ... Sandhana kinnam povadhu

Repetition of the phrase structural format '... povadhu ...' across multiple opening lines creates a rhythmic musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music was composed by S. Vedhachalam, who worked extensively in the Tamil film industry during the golden age. The song showcases classic T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela vocal chemistry, heavily featured in romantic tracks during the early 1970s.

Keep listening

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